Jamal Murray’s Cold Shooting Costs Denver Nuggets in Loss to Philadelphia 76ers
In a highly anticipated matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, all eyes were on Jamal Murray, the Nuggets’ starting point guard, as he faced off against the 76ers’ tough defense. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Murray’s cold-shooting night ultimately cost them the game, as he was limited to just 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting in his team’s 126-121 road loss.
Murray, who earned the nickname “Glitch” for his clutch performances in last year’s playoffs, particularly struggled in the fourth quarter of the game. He missed all four of his shots and committed two turnovers, contributing to the 76ers outscoring the Nuggets 27-17 in the final period. This turnaround was unexpected, especially after Denver had taken a 104-99 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
After the game, Sixers guard Patrick Beverley was asked about the key to containing Jamal Murray. Beverley, known for his tough defensive abilities, nonchalantly replied, “No key. I’ve been locking his a** up for years.” When further pressed about how he prepares for someone like Murray, Beverley again casually answered, “No approach. Normal day.”
Beverley’s words held some truth, as Murray has struggled against him in the past. In 17 regular-season meetings against “Mr. 94 Feet,” Murray has averaged just 15.9 points on 43.8% shooting, including 33.3% from deep, with a 6-11 record during that stretch.
Interestingly, in the recent game against the 76ers, it wasn’t Beverley who primarily guarded Murray. Instead, the Nuggets endlessly ran pick-and-rolls between Murray and center Nikola Jokic, leading to Nic Batum and Kelly Oubre Jr. mostly shadowing “Glitch.” Batum and Oubre Jr., with their size and length, made it tough for Murray to score, particularly in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Murray’s struggles, however, weren’t solely due to the Sixers’ defense. He also missed a couple of open shots, adding to his difficult night. It’s clear that had he hit a few more of those shots, the game’s outcome might have been different, and Beverley’s comments might not have been as brash.
The 2020 playoffs, however, offer a different narrative, as Murray dominated Beverley when the two faced off. In the 2020 Western Conference playoffs, the LA Clippers, with a dominating 3-1 lead, failed to close out the Denver Nuggets, largely due to Murray’s outstanding performance. In that series, Murray played a team-high 40.2 minutes per game and averaged 22.6 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.3 SPG, shooting 44.7%, including 43.8% from deep. Beverley, who had limited Murray in the regular season, couldn’t contain him during this crucial playoff series, leading to Denver’s spectacular come-from-behind win.
As the story between Murray and Beverley continues, it will be interesting to see how their rivalry unfolds. The potential of a Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers meeting in the NBA Finals sets the stage for an exciting battle between two competitive players.
In conclusion, while the recent game showcased Beverley’s ability to limit Murray’s impact, it’s important to remember that the playoffs offer a different level of competition. As both players continue to evolve, their matchups will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
The Denver Nuggets’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers highlighted the challenges that Murray faces against elite defenders like Beverley. However, as history has shown, Murray has the ability to rise to the occasion and overcome these challenges. As the NBA season progresses, the ongoing saga between Murray and Beverley will undoubtedly add another layer of excitement to the league, setting the stage for a riveting showdown between two determined players.
